The U.S. track and field team brought home another set of gold medals at the Paris Olympics on Thursday, bringing their total to 30. Tara Davis-Woodhall and Grant Holloway, both U.S. stars, took home their first gold medals in their respective events.
While the U.S. team dominated in the women’s long jump and men’s 110m hurdles, the men's 200m final held a surprise twist. Botswana's Letsile Tebogo defeated Kenny Bednarek and Noah Lyles to claim the Olympic gold in a time of 19.46 seconds.
Adding to the unexpected turn of events, Lyles, the 100m champion, announced on NBC's broadcast that he had competed in the 200m final with COVID-19. Lyles finished in third place with a time of 19.70 seconds, earning a bronze medal, while Bednarek claimed silver with a time of 19.62 seconds. Notably, both Lyles and Bednarek replicated their finishing positions from the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, the U.S. captain, walked the track of the Stade de France with a crown on her head after winning back-to-back Olympic gold medals in the 400mH. McLaughlin-Levrone further cemented her dominance by resetting her own world record with a stunning time of 50.37 seconds. American Anna Cockrell, who followed McLaughlin-Levrone, achieved a new personal best with a time of 51.87 seconds.
Athlete Quotes and Insights
Following their remarkable performances, several athletes shared their insights and emotions in the mixed zone. Kenny Bednarek expressed his awe at Letsile Tebogo's talent: “He's young talent. He's already showed us that he's had something like that in him and he brought it out today. No surprise. Anybody that's in the finals can throw a hot time at any moment and you just got to make sure to be ready.”
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone shared her perspective on the intense training that led to her record-breaking performance: “This one felt similar to trials, just in terms of effort wise. I think the one from a few years ago hurt a lot more. I think breaking that threshold is always the worst part and now it's kind of just fine tuning. They all hurt if I'm going to be honest, it's just a different level of hurt when you kind of start to understand this.”
Tara Davis-Woodhall revealed the mental strength she tapped into to secure her gold medal: “It wasn't as much as a feeling as much as almost instinctual. Just going to the things that we were working on in training, tapping into those workouts when I thought I couldn't do another rep, when I thought I was dying, when I thought I could not get up off the ground. Just tapping into those moments of grit and of desire.”
Grant Holloway, who secured the gold in the 110m hurdles, provided a glimpse into the competitive spirit of the U.S. track and field team: “Me and Grant talked about that when we were in college during my junior year, just speaking on how the U.S. was struggling for a while in those major championships. It's been I think since 2012 since we won. We talked about that in college and now to have us going one and two, it's a good thing.”
A Moment of Pride for LGBTQ+ Athletes
The Paris Olympics have provided a platform for LGBTQ+ athletes to showcase their talent and inspire others. Kenny Bednarek openly discussed his experience as a queer athlete: “I feel I have a superpower being queer out there, I really do. I feel like no matter what, before the gun goes off, I know that I'm loved and supported and that just allows me to run free.”
Looking Ahead to Future Races
The Paris Olympics have witnessed a culmination of years of hard work and dedication for many athletes. As the competition progresses, many athletes are looking forward to upcoming races with renewed determination.
The Road Ahead
Tara Davis-Woodhall expressed her confidence going into future events: “I just feel a lot more grounded and confident going into this final. I feel like a completely different person and athlete. All the races before this have just got me to where I am and I've learned a lot through the experience. It gives me a greater appreciation for being in this moment.”
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone acknowledged the challenges of competing in Paris without a full year of preparation: “It's a little bit tough competing here not having my full year of preparation but I'm just trying to put up the absolute best fight that I can and give myself a chance tomorrow. I think I did that.”
The Paris Olympics continue to captivate audiences worldwide, showcasing the unwavering spirit and dedication of athletes from all corners of the globe. As the competition progresses, the anticipation for further thrilling performances and unexpected moments remains high.
